Babaeko makes New York Ad Festival Grand Jury for third time

The New York Ad Festival has chosen three of Nigeria’s creative heads, led by CEO, X3M Ideas and Vice President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Steve Babaeko, Creative Director, X3M Ideas, Sola Kosoko-King, and Creative Director, SO&U, Chris Ogunlowo, as members of the grand jury for the 2019 New York International Advertising Awards.

While Babaeko is making his third appearance as a jury member, having featured earlier in 2016 and 2018 editions while Ogunlowo and Kosoki-King are making their debut on the respected jury panel. The trio will join other international creatives to select the world’s best advertisers.

“The NYF’s powerhouse 400+ Grand Jury represents the most diverse brain trust of global creative minds in the advertising industry from 65 countries,” a statement said. While commenting on the selection, Babaeko said: “It is actually humbling. NYAF is one of the oldest advertising awards in the world. They take special pride in selecting the best practitioners from across the globe to judge. Getting a third invitation is quite special. I am not alone though; I have with me this year the Creative Directors of X3M Ideas and SO&U. So it’s a good one for Nigeria.

“Clearly, it shows that Nigeria is beginning to get the recognition it deserves. As the Vice President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, it’s part of our agenda to keep placing Nigeria’s advertising on the global stage. This is one step in the right direction.”

Also speaking on the mode of the jury assignment, Babaeko explained, “The first part is to vote remotely. We shortlist the entries that deserve to be considered for award. At this point, it’s a simple in or out based on a few parameters. After this, the Executive Jury does an on-site judging and the last part is the gala in New York”.

Executive Director of New York Festivals International Advertising Awards, Susan Glass Ruse, said, “We’ve assembled a truly international jury with high-level talent that spans the globe. NYF has always been about recognising the work and the individuals who create it. Our juries and our competition categories are designed to reflect the diversity of great work and the people that produce it.”

The 2019’s trophy winning entries will be determined by the 9th annual Executive Jury, an elite panel of 22+ CCO’s from around the globe. The Executive Jury will gather this April for five days in New York City for four rounds of judging across all mediums to select 2019’s winners for first, second, third prizes.

“We’re honored to have such an exceptional and eclectic jury judging this year’s work,” said Associate Executive Director of New York Festivals Advertising Awards, Heather Abrams. “Not only are we excited to provide our entrants with highly-regarded creatives to honor their work, but we’re delighted for our jury to see some of the fresh and bold ideas that come through in our new categories.”